Adjustable chute for button feeders



July 19, 1960 O. HALBREICH ADJUSTABLE CHUTE FOR BUTTON FEEDERS FiledDec. 29, 1958 United States Patent O ADJUSTABLE CHUTE FOR BU'ITONFEEDERS Oscar Halbreich, Forest Hills, N.Y., assignor to Kem ButtonCorporation, Brooklyn, N.Y., a corporation of New York Filed Dec. 29,1958, Ser. No. 783,535

2 Claims. (Cl. 193--38) This invention relates generally to the field offeeding of small objects to a point of operation upon the same, and moreparticularly to an improved chute particularly adapted to be used inconjunction with a button feeder used in commercial sewing operations.Devices'of this type are generally known in the art, and the inventionrelates to specific constructional details whereby adjustment of thesame for use in connection with buttons of a variety of sizes isfacilitated.

In button feeders of the class described, the chute is normally fed froma hopper means which keep the chute filled throughout substantially itsentire length, buttons moving under the action of gravity and/ormechanical assist means to a point of ejection where a sewing operationis performed. In order to prevent the overlapping of buttons within thechute, and an accompanying sticking of buttons resulting from theoverlapped condition, it is necessary that the walls of the chutecorrespond dimensionallyto the overall dimensions of the individualbuttons. is employed, the design of chutes of this type is a relativelysimple matter. However, where commercial practice requires the use of awide variety of shapes and sizes of buttons, it is necessary to readjustthe width of the chute with each change of button size and shape. In theprior art devices, this adjustment has. required substantial shutdowntime during the individual adjustment of a large number of points alongthe length of the chute, and in some cases, replacement of entire lengthof the chute with similar lengths having the required adjustment.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention toprovide an improved chute construction in which the abovementioneddisadvantages have been substantially eliminated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of improved buttonchute construction which may be readily and conveniently adapted for usewith a wide variety of button shapes and sizes by the operator of thesewing machine with which the device is used, by the simple turning of arelatively small number of adjustment screws.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of improvedchute construction of the class described, and possessed of the aboveadvantages in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably loworder, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A feature of the invention lies in the particular adaptability of theinvention to the feeding of shank-type buttons which are widely used inlower cost commercial sewing operations.

Another feature of the invention lies in the ready adaptability of thedevice to existing button feeders currently in wide use in the art.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends andadvantages, will become more clearly apparent during the course of thefollowing disclosure, and be pointed out in the appended claims.

Where only a single size and shape of button 2,945,575 I Patented July19, 1950 On the drawings, to which reference will be made in thespecification, similar reference characters have been employed todesignate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Figure 1 is a fragmentary view in perspective of an embodiment of theinvention.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged view in perspective showing the upperportion of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary enlarged view in elevation showing the centralportion of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary enlarged view in perspective showing the lowerportion of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a fragmentary top plan view as seen from the plane 5--5 onFigure 4.

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 6--6 onFigure 2.

Figure 7 is a vertical sectional view as seen from the plane 7-7 onFigure 4.

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical sectional view as seen from the plane88 on Figure 4.

Figure 9 is an enlarged sectional view corresponding to that seen onFigure 8, but showing 'an adjusted relative position of certain of thecomponent parts.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary rear elevational view as seen from the plane'10-10 on Figure 5.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated byreference character 10 is shown in Figure 1 in conjunction with aconventional button hopper 11. The device is interconnected with aconventional button sewing machine, preferably as disclosed in my priorPatent No. 2,843,069 granted July 15, 1958, entitled Shank ButtonFeeders. The device 10 comprises broadly: a base member 14, a pluralityof track forming members 15 and adjustable supporting means 16.

The base member 14 is preferably formed from fiat strip metal ofsuitable mechanical strength and rigidity, and includes an upper end 19into which buttons are successively fed by the hopper means 11, and alower end 20 having a discharge opening, preferably of the typedisclosed in the above mentioned patent. As best seen in Figure 1, thebase member is generally'elongated in configuration, and includes anupper edge 21, a lower edge 23, a forward or inner surface 24 and arearward or outer surface 25.

The track forming members 15 are also formed'f'rom fiat strip metal, andare substantially similar and arranged in relatively paralleldisposition. Each includes an upper edge 28, a lower edge 29, a forwardor outer surface 30 and a rearward or inner surface 31. The members 15are maintained in generally parallel disposition by the means 16, andform an elongated space therebetween generally indicated by referencecharacter 32. The width of the space 32 is substantially constantthroughout the length of the device 10, and is governed by the width ofshanks 33 of buttons 34 with which the device is used. At the presentstate of the art, it is customa'ry to form shank buttons of varyingsizes, shapes and designs with shank portions of relatively uniformdimensions, although, ifdesired, "means for adjusting the relativedistance between the members 15 may be provided.

The adjustable supporting means 16 includes an upper support element 37,a median support element 38 and a lower support element 39. The uppersupport element 37 includes a first relatively fixed hinge arm 41mounted on the surface 25 of the base member 14, the same beinginterconnected with a relatively moveable hinge arm 42 by a pin 43'. Thefree end 44- of the moveable hinge arm 42 is provided with pin or rivetmeans 45 which secures the track forming members 15 to the inner surfacethereof. An adjustment screw 46 interconnects the hinge arms 41 and 42,the same being provided with a finger engaging knob 47 and a threadedportion 48 engaging a threaded bore 49 in the hinge arm 41. As best seenin Figure 6, the hinge arms 41 is of curved configuration, including afirstportion 50 and a second portion 51 joined by a bend portion 52. Itwill be observed that the axis of the pin 43 lies in a plane passingthrough the path of travel of successive shank portions 33 of thebuttons 34, so that during adjustment the movement of the free end 44may be considered to be substantially in a plane perpendicular to theplane of the base member 14.

The median support element 38 is generally similar to that of the uppersupport element 37, and includes a fixed hinge arm 55, and a moveablearm 56, the lower end 57 of which is engaged with portions of the trackforming members 15 in a like manner.

The lower support element 39 includes a plurality of adjustment screws60, 61 and 62, all of which cooperate to support a substantiallyrectangular frame 64 in threaded association with respect to the basemember 14. The frame 64 supports a pair of track guide members 65 and 66by pin means 67 which form continuations of the track forming members 15to lead buttons 34 to the point of discharge.

The distance between the track guide members 65 and 66 and the innersurface 24 of the base member is variable independently of theadjustment between the track-forming members 15 and the inner surface,as the adjustment is preferably more critical at or near the point ofdischarge. Particularly where a button ejection assist is employed ofthe type disclosed in the above-mentioned patent, No. 2,843,069, theclearances are substantially less than where movement of the buttons isobtained solely by the action of gravity. This adjustment is made byfirst adjusting the elements 37, 38 and 39 in succession, by manuallyinserting a button at the upper end of the chute, with the elements 37,38, 39 adjusted at minimum clearance. They are then progressively openedto permit the button to travel downwardly under the influence ofgravity. Upon reaching the lower element 39, the clearance is adjustedusing adjustment screws 60 and 61 to approximate clearance. As the testbutton travels to the lowest portion of the chute, final adjustment ofthe screw 62 will cause pivoting of that portion of the frame 64indicated by reference character 70 about an axis disposed in a planepassing through the screws 60 and 61.

As the normal distance from the lower end of the chute to thelast-mentioned plane is substantially greater than the normal distancefrom the axis of screw 62 to the plane, a relative small adjustment ofthe screw 62 resultsin a correspondingly greater adjustment of the endsofthe members 65'and 66. As a final adjustment, the

screws 60 and 61 are again tested using a second buttonto correct anysmall misalignment induced by the adjustment of the screw 66. In thismanner, the lower end of the chute may be free of adjustment structurewhile yet the base member 14 is relatively enlarged. In Figure 9, thereis shown an adjustment of the same structure to accommodate a button ofrelatively thin cross-section, during which time the distance betweenthe frame 64 and base member 14 is diminished.

It may thus be seen that I have invented novel and highly usefulimprovements in chute construction for use in connection with thefeeding of buttons from a supply hopper means to a point of sewing, inwhich means has been provided for the rapid adjustment of the effectivewidth of the chute to accommodate buttons of varying widths. Althoughthe specific embodiment shown relates to the feeding of shank buttons,with minor modifications (not shown) the construction may be employed inthe feeding of sew-through-type buttons as well, in each case therelative width of the chute being regulated by the simple turning of afew threaded adjustments.

I wish it to be understood that I do not consider the invention limitedto the precise details of structure shown and set forth in thisspecification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled inthe art to which the invention pertains.

I claim:

1. In an adjustable track for use in conjunction with a button feedingdevice or similar structure, the improvement comprising: a base memberof generally elongated planar configuration, a pair of elongated trackforming members defining a track therebetween and disposed insubstantially mutually parallel relation with respect to said basemember, a first hinge arm mounted upon said base member and extendingfrom said base member in a direction toward said track members, a secondhinge arm interconnected with said track members substantially at afirst end thereof and pivotally interconnected with said first hinge armat a second end of said hinge arm, and threaded means interconnectingsaid second hinge arm and said base member for adjusting the relativeposition of said track forming members with respect to said base member.

2. In an adjustable track for use in conjunction with a button feedingdevice or similar structure, the improvement comprising: a base memberof generally elongated planar configuration, a pair of elongated trackforming members defining a track therebetween and disposed insubstantially mutually parallel relation with respect to said basemember, a first hinge arm mounted upon said base member and extendingfrom said base member in a direction toward said track members, a secondhinge arm interconnected with said track members substantially at afirst end thereof and pivotally interconnected with said first hinge armat a second end of said hinge arm, and threaded means interconnectingsaid second hinge arm and said base member for adjusting the relativeposition of said track forming members with respect to said base member;said threaded means being disposed intermediate said track formingmembers and the hinged intercom nection of said first and second hingearms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSKiessling et al May 9, 1939'

